SiteKiln gives you plain-English information, not legal advice or specialist water regulations consultancy. If you need advice specific to your situation, check the current regulations and your local water company's notification rules.
7.13.1 The short version
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 are about protecting drinking water and stopping waste -- they control how you design, install and maintain anything connected to the mains. They sit on top of the Water Industry Act 1991 and give water companies real teeth to challenge dodgy plumbing and fine or prosecute if needed.
WRAS approval is a badge that says a product or installation method meets those regs -- it is not law by itself, but it is how manufacturers and plumbers prove fittings won't contaminate or waste water. If you're plumbing without knowing the water regs, or fitting random unapproved kit, you're asking for trouble.
7.13.2 Why it matters
From the water company's point of view, your pipework and kit can contaminate the public main, make meters read wrong, or waste a lot of water if you get it wrong. That is why the regs exist -- to stop backflow, cross-connections, dead legs, silly overflow arrangements and cheap, non-compliant fittings causing problems.
From your side:
- If you install against the regs, the water company can make the customer rip it out, and you will be buying that job twice.
- Some work has to be notified to the water undertaker before you start -- ignore that and you're in breach before you solder a joint.
- Knowing the basics and sticking to WRAS-compliant products keeps you on the right side of both.
7.13.3 What the Water Fittings Regulations actually say
The regs apply to most plumbing connected to the public water supply in England and Wales.
At a high level they require that:
- Water fittings are of suitable quality and standard (meeting British/European or equivalent standards).
- Installations are designed, installed and maintained so water is not contaminated and its quality is not prejudiced.
- Waste, misuse and undue consumption of water are prevented.
- Fittings are watertight, adequately supported, protected from freezing and not likely to cause noise or erroneous meter readings.
Schedule 2 of the regs sets out detailed requirements -- things like:
- Backflow prevention (air gaps, double check valves, RPZs) depending on fluid category.
- Cistern design, overflows and warning pipes.
- Control valves, service valves and access for maintenance.
- Pipe materials and jointing methods.
Certain types of installation (for example some new supplies, large water heaters, certain garden/irrigation systems, some rainwater/greywater systems) must be notified to the water company in advance, and they can object or impose conditions.
7.13.4 WRAS, approved products and "approved contractor" schemes
WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) is funded by water companies to help enforce and explain the regs. It does three main things that matter to you:
- Approves products and materials -- WRAS Approved Products have been tested to show they won't contaminate or unduly affect the water supply when installed correctly.
- Runs training and gives guidance on the regs for plumbers and manufacturers.
- Administers Water Industry Approved Plumber Schemes (WIAPS) and feeds into WaterSafe, the national register of approved contractors.
"WRAS approved" on a fitting isn't compulsory by law, but using WRAS-approved kit is the easiest way to prove you've used materials that meet Regulation 4 (requirements for water fittings).
Approved contractor schemes (WIAPS, APHC, CIPHE, SNIPEF etc.) mean:
- The plumber has recognised qualifications and is vetted by a scheme operator.
- They can self-certify compliance with the water regs and issue certificates the water company accepts.
That is useful if you want to move into more serious plumbing and heating work without constant pushback from water undertakers.
7.13.5 Quick water-regs / WRAS health check
You're on much safer ground if:
You and your plumbers know the Water Fittings Regulations basics -- backflow protection, appropriate materials, notification rules -- and you treat them as seriously as gas or electrical regs.
You default to using WRAS-approved or equivalent compliant products for anything on potable (drinking) water and can show that from product data.
You know which jobs in your area must be notified to the water company before you start, and you actually do the paperwork instead of hoping no-one asks.
Someone in your business either holds, or is aiming for, an approved contractor status under WaterSafe/WIAPS/APHC/CIPHE/SNIPEF, so you can self-certify and look credible to clients and inspectors.
If any of that is guesswork right now, that's your next bit of upskilling before you let anyone start joining onto the mains again.
7.13.6 What to do next
- Make sure you and your plumbers know the Water Fittings Regulations basics -- backflow protection, appropriate materials and notification rules.
- Default to WRAS-approved products for anything connected to potable water.
- Check which jobs in your area must be notified to the water company before you start, and actually do the paperwork.
- Consider working towards approved contractor status under WaterSafe/WIAPS/APHC/CIPHE/SNIPEF so you can self-certify.
7.13.7 Who to contact
- CSCS -- 0344 994 4777, cscs.uk.com -- for general card and competence queries (free)
- CITB -- 0344 994 4400, citb.co.uk -- for training information and grants (free)
- Your local water company -- for notification requirements and installation queries
- WRAS -- wras.co.uk -- for approved products and water regulations guidance (free)
- Local authority building control -- for building regulations queries on plumbing work
7.13.8 Sources and legislation
- Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 -- requirements for water fittings and installations. legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1999/1148
- Water Industry Act 1991 -- framework for water supply and water company powers. legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/56
- Building Regulations 2010 -- Part H (drainage and waste disposal) and Part G (sanitation, hot water). legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2010/2214
7.13.9 Related guides on this site
- 7.3 Gas Safe registration
- 7.4 NICEIC / NAPIT / Part P
- 7.10 Building regs vs planning permission
- 7.11 Part P, Part L, Part F
- 6.1 Public liability insurance
- 7.15 TrustMark registration
Know someone who needs this?
Was this guide useful?
Didn't find what you were looking for?
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Email us at hello@kilnguides.co.uk.
In crisis? Samaritans 116 123 ·